International arrivals dropped last year to 1.18 million from 1.35 million in 2014, a 12.6 per cent contraction. Tourism Cabinet secretary Najib Balala yesterday attributed the growth to aggressive marketing, which has helped restore confidence among key international markets. The government has been on a charm offensive to win back international markets which dropped as a result of insecurity, mainly caused by al Shabaab terror group. The number of visitors to Kenya was 1.5 million in 2013, 1.7 million in 2012, and 1.8 million in 2011. Visitors into Kenya increased by 14 per cent in the first four months of the year, signaling recovery of tourism industry which has faced a four-year slump over insecurity.

Source: The Star June 07, 2016 03:33 UTC